not cure me; so I went both yesterday and to-day to the library, where a
pleasant, cool, little cabinet has been assigned to me, where whatever
book I ask for is brought to me, and where I have pen, ink, and paper
always placed to make notes. This is a kindness and attention to a woman
and a stranger that I was hardly prepared for. The library was brought
hither from Lisbon in 1810, and placed in its present situation, which
was once the hospital belonging to the Carmelites. That hospital was
removed to a healthier and more commodious situation, and the rooms,
admirably adapted to the purpose, received the books, of which there are
between sixty and seventy thousand volumes. The greater number are books
of theology and law. There is a great deal of ecclesiastical history,
and particularly all the Jesuits' accounts of South America. General and
civil history are not wanting; and there are good editions of the
classics. There are some fine works on natural history; but, excepting
these, nothing modern; scarcely a book having been bought for sixty
years. But a noble addition was made to the establishment by the
purchase of the Conde de Barca's library; in which there are some
valuable modern works, and a very fine collection of topographical
prints of all parts of the world.
I have begun to read diligently every scrap of Brazilian history I can
find; and I have commenced by a collection of pamphlets, newspapers,
some MS. letters and proclamations, from the year 1576 to 1757, bound up
together[124]; some of these tracts Mr. Southey mentions, others he
probably had not seen, but they contain nothing very material that he
has not in his history. This morning's study of Brazilian history in the
original language is one great advantage I derive from my removal into
town. Besides which, I speak now less English than Portuguese.
[Note 124: To this collection is a printed and engraved title-page,
as follows: "Noticias Historicas e Militares da America Collegidas por
Diogo Barboso Machado Abbade da Igreja de Santo Adriano de Sever, e
Academico da Academia Real. Comprehende do Anno de 1579 até 1757." It
contains twenty-four pamphlets, &c. The Abbade Machado's name is in
almost all the historical books I have yet seen in the library. I know
not how the collection of the author of the Bibliotheca Lusitania became
part of the royal library.]
_24th_.--Having now received the portrait which Mr. Erle, an ingenious
young English artist, has been painting of the Senhora Alerez Dona Maria
de Jesus, I took it to show it to her friend and patron, Jose Bonifacio
de Andrada e Silva.
I never spend half an hour any where with more pleasure and profit than
with the ex-minister's family. His lady is of Irish parentage, an
O'Leary, a most amiable and kind woman, and truly appreciating the worth
and talent of her husband; and all the nephews and other relations I
meet there appear superior in education and understanding to the
generality of persons I see. But it is Jose Bonifacio himself who
attracts and interests me most. He is a small man, with a thin lively
countenance; and his manner and conversation at once impress the
beholder with the idea of that restless activity of mind which
"O'er-informs its tenement of clay,"
and is but too likely to wear out the body that contains it. The first
time I saw him in private was after he ceased to be minister, his
occupations before that time leaving him little leisure for private
society. I was curious to see the retreat of a public man. I found him
surrounded by young people and children, some of whom he took on his
knee and caressed; and I could easily see that he was very popular among
the small people. To me, as a stranger, he was most ceremoniously yet
kindly polite, and conversed on all subjects and of all countries. He
has visited most of those of Europe.
His library is well stored with books in all languages. The collection
on chemistry and on mining is particularly extensive, and rich in
Swedish and German authors. These, indeed, are subjects peculiarly
interesting to Brazil, and have naturally been of first-rate interest to
him. But his delight is classical literature; and he is himself a poet
of no mean order. Perhaps my knowledge of Portuguese does not entitle me
to judge particularly on the vehicle or language of his poetry; but if
lofty thoughts, new and beautiful combinations, keen sensibility, and a
love of beauty and of nature, be essential to poetry, the poems he read
to me to-day have them all. There is one in particular, on the Creation
of Woman, glowing as the sun under which it was written, and as pure as
his light. Perhaps it derived some of its merit from his manner of
reading it, which, though not what is called fine reading, is full of
character and intelligence.
To-day, Jose Bonifacio gave me a translation from Meleager, which seems
to me very beautiful. It was written at Lisbon in 1816, and two or three
copies printed by one of his friends, and the last of these is now
mine.[125]
[Note 125:
_Traducçăo_.
Já do ether fugio ventosa inverno,
E da florida primavera a hora
Purpurea rio: de verde herva mimosa
A Terra denegrida se corôa,
Behem os prados já liquido orvalho,
Com que medraŏ as plantas, e festejaŏ
Os abertos botŏes das novas rosas.
Com as asperos sons da frauta rude
Folga o Serrano, o Pegureiro folga
Com as alvos recentes cabritinhos.
Jú sulcaŏ Nantas estendidas ondas;
E Favonio innocente as velas boja.
As Menades, cubertas as cabeças
Da flor d'hera, tres vezes enrolada,
Do uvifero Baccho orgias celebraŏ:
A Geraçaŏ bovina das abelhas
Seus trabalhos completa; j'a produzem
Formoso mel; nos favos repousados
Candida cera multiplicaŏ. Cantaŏ
Por toda a parte as sonorosas aves:
Nas ondas o Aleyaŏ, em torna aos tectos
Canta a Andorinha; canta o branco Cysne
Na ribanceira, e o Rouxinol no bosque.
Se pois as plantas ledas reverdecem;
Florece a Terra; o Guardador a frauta
Tange, e folga co'as maçans folhudas;
Se aves gorgeiaŏ; se as abelhas criaŏ;
Navegaŏ Nautas; Baccho guia as choros:
Porque naŭ cantará tambem o Vate
A risonha, a formosa Primavera?
]
Let no one say, 'that he is too miserable for any comfort to reach him.
I am alone, and a widow, and in a foreign land; my health weak, my
nerves irritable, and having neither wealth nor rank; forced to receive
obligations painful and discordant with my former habits and prejudices,
and often meeting with impertinence from those who take advantage of my
solitary situation: but I am nevertheless sure that I have more
_half-hours_, I dare not say _hours_, of true enjoyment, and fewer days
of real misery, than half of those whom the world accounts happy. And I
thank God, who gave me the temper to feel grief exquisitely, that he at
the same time gave me an equal capacity for joy. And it is a joy to find
minds that can understand and communicate with our own; to meet
occasionally with persons of similar habits of thinking, and who, when
the business of life rests a while, seek recreation in the same
pursuits. This delight I do oftener enjoy than I could have hoped, so
far from cultivated Europe. One or two of my friends are, indeed, like
costly jewels, not to be worn every day; but there are several of
sterling metal that even here disarm the ills of this "working-day
world" of half their sting.
_Sept. 26th, 1823_.--A marriage in high life engages many of the talkers
of Rio. A fidalgo, an officer distinguished under Beresford, Don
Francisco----, whose other name I have forgotten, is fortunate enough to
have obtained one of the loveliest grand-daughters of the Baroness de
Campos, _Maria de Loreto_; whose extraordinary likeness to our own
Princess Charlotte of Wales is such, that I am sure no English person
can have seen her without being struck with it. Here, no unmarried women
are allowed to be present at a marriage; but the ceremony is performed
in the presence of the nearest relations, being married, on both sides.
The mother of the bride sends notice to court, if she be of rank to do
so, afterwards to other ladies, according to their degree, of the
marriage of her daughter. The bride then goes to court; after which the
ladies visit her, and proceed to congratulate the other members of the
family. It is said this match is one in which the lawful lord of such
things, i.e. Master Cupid, has had more to do than he is usually allowed
to have in Brazil, even since it was independent; and truly a handsomer
couple will not often be seen. I am glad of it. Surely free choice on
such an important subject is as much to be desired as on any other. On
this occasion,
"The god of love, who stood to spy them,
The god of love, who must be nigh them,
Pleased and tickled at the sight,
Sneezed aloud; and at his right
The little loves that waited by,
Bow'd and bless'd the augury;"
as my favourite Cowley says; and I hope we shall have more such free
matches in our free Brazil, where, hitherto, the course of true love is
apt not to run smooth, that is, if my informants on the subject are in
the right. Seriously, perhaps there has not hitherto been refinement
enough for the delicate metaphysical love of Europe; which, because it
is more rational, more noble, than all others, is less easily turned
aside into other channels. Grandison or Clarissa could not have been
written here; but I think ere long we may look for the polish and
prudent morals of Belinda.
_Sept. 29th_.--I went to the orphan asylum, which is also the foundling
hospital. The orphan boys are apprenticed at a proper age. The girls
have a portion of 200 milrees; which, though little, assists in their
establishment, and is often eked out from other funds. The house is
exceedingly clean, and so are the beds for the foundling children, only
three of whom are now in-door nurslings, the rest being placed out in
the country. Till lately they have died in a proportion frightful
compared with their numbers.[126] Within little more than nine years,
10,000 children have been received: these were placed out at nurse, and
many were never accounted for. Not perhaps that they all died, because
the temptation of retaining a mulatto child as a slave, would most
likely secure care of its life; but the white ones had not even this
chance of safety. Besides, the wages paid for the nursing of each was
formerly so little, that the poor creatures who received them could
hardly have afforded them the means of subsistence. A partial amendment
has taken place, and still greater improvements are about to be made.
There is a great want of medical treatment. Many of the foundlings are
placed in the wheel[127], full of disease, fever, or more often a
dreadful species of itch called sarna, and which is often fatal to them.
Nay, dead children are also brought, that they may be decently interred.
[Note 126: See the Emperor's speech on the 3d May.]
[Note 127: A wheel or revolving box, like that at a convent, into
which the infants are put.]
[Illustration:]
From the asylum, I crossed the street to the great hospital of the
Misericordia. It is a fine building, and has plenty of room; but it is
not in so good a state as might be wished: there are usually four
hundred patients, and the number of deaths very great; but I could not
learn the exact proportion. The medical department is in great want of
reform. The insane ward interested me most of all: it is on the ground
floor, very cold and damp; and most of those placed in it die speedily
of consumptive complaints. I found here a contradiction to the vulgar
opinion, that hydrophobia is not known in Brazil. A poor negro had been
bitten by a mad dog a month ago; he did not seem very ill till yesterday
morning, when he was sent here. He was at the grate of his cell as we
passed him, in a deplorable state: knowing the gentleman who was with
me, he had hoped he would release him from confinement; this of course
could not be: he expired a few hours after we saw him. The burial-ground
of the Misericordia is so much too small as to be exceedingly
disgusting, and, I should imagine, unwholesome for the neighbourhood. I
had long wished to do what I have done to-day. I think the more persons
that show an interest in such establishments the better: it fixes
attention upon them; and that of itself must do good. Yet my courage had
hitherto failed, and I owe the excursion of this morning to accident
rather than design.
I rode this evening to the protestant burial-ground, at the Praya de
Gamboa. I think it one of the loveliest spots I ever beheld, commanding
beautiful views every way. It slopes gradually towards the road along
the shore: at the highest point there is a pretty building, consisting
of three chambers; one serves as a place of meeting or waiting for the
clergyman occasionally; one as a repository for the mournful furniture
of the grave; and the largest, which is between the other two, is
generally occupied by the body of the dead for the few hours, it may be
a day and a night, which can in this climate elapse between death and
burial: in front of this are the various stones, and urns, and vain
memorials we raise to relieve our own sorrow; and between these and the
road, some magnificent trees. Three sides of this field are fenced by
rock or wood. Even Crabbe's fanciful and delicate Jane might have
thought without pain of sleeping here.[128] In my illness I had often
felt sorry that I had not seen this ground. I am satisfied now; and if
my still lingering weakness should lay me here, the very, very few who
may come to see where their friend lies will feel no disgust at the
prison-house.
[Note 128: See Tales of the Hall.--The Sisters.]
_30th_.--I called at a very agreeable Brazilian lady's house to-day; and
saw, for the first time in my life, a regular Brazilian _bas-blue_ in
the person of Dona Maria Clara: she reads a good deal, especially
philosophy and politics; she is a tolerable botanist, and draws flowers
exceedingly well; besides, she is what I think it is Miss Edgeworth
calls "a fetcher and carrier of bays,"--a useful member of society, who,
without harming herself or others, circulates the necessary literary
news, and would be invaluable where new authors want puffing, and new
poems should have the pretty passages pointed out for the advantage of
literary misses. Here, alas! such kindly offices are confined to
comparing the rival passages in the Correiro and the Sentinella, or
advocating the cause of the editor of the Sylpho or the Tamoyo. But, in
sober earnest, I was delighted to find such a lady. Without arrogating
much more than is due to the sex, it may claim some small influence over
the occupations and amusements of home; and the woman who brings books
instead of cards or private scandal into the domestic circle, is likely
to promote a more general cultivation, and a more refined taste, in the
society to which she belongs.
_October 1st, 1823_.--The court and city are in a state of rejoicing.
Lord Cochrane has secured Maranham for the Emperor. Once more I break in
on my own rule, and copy part of his letter to me:--
"Maranham, August 12th, 1823.
"My dear Madam,
"You would receive a few lines from me, dated from off Bahia, and also
from the latitude of Pernambuco, saying briefly what we were about then.
And now I have to add, that we followed the Portuguese squadron to the
fifth degree of north latitude, and until only thirteen sail remained
together out of seventy of their convoy; and then, judging it better for
the interests of His Imperial Majesty, I hauled the wind for Maranham;
and I have the pleasure to tell you, that my plan of adding it to the
empire has had complete success. I ran in with this ship abreast of
their forts; and having sent a notice of blockade, and intimated that
the squadron of Bahia and Imperial forces were off the bar, the
Portuguese flag was hauled down, and every thing went on without
bloodshed, just as you could wish. We have found here a Portuguese brig
of war, a schooner, and eight gun-boats; also sixteen merchant vessels,
and a good deal of property belonging to Portuguese resident in Lisbon,
deposited in the custom-house. The brig of war late the Infante Don
Miguel, now the Maranham, is gone down with Grenfell to summon Para,
where there is a beautiful newly-launched fifty-gun frigate, which I
have no doubt but he has got before now. Thus, my dear Madam, on my
return I shall have the pleasure to acquaint His Imperial Majesty, that
between the extremities of his empire there exists no enemy either on
shore or afloat. This will probably be within the sixth month from our
sailing from Rio, and at this moment is actually the case."
Together with this letter, His Lordship has sent me the public papers
concerning the taking possession of the place for the Emperor, and the
officer who brought the despatches has obligingly favoured me with
farther particulars; so that I believe the following to be a correct
account, as far as it goes, of the whole.
As soon as it was perceived on board the Pedro Primeiro, by the orders
given by Lord Cochrane for the course of the ship, that he had resolved
on going to Maranham, the pilots became uneasy on account of the
dangerous navigation of the coast, and, as they said, the impossibility
of entering the harbour in so large a ship. I have often felt that there
was something very captivating in the word _impossible_. The Admiral,
however, had better motives, and had skill and knowledge to support his
perseverance; and so on the 26th of July, he entered the bay of San Luis
de Maranham, under English colours. Seeing a vessel of war off the
place, he sent a boat on board; and though some of the sailors
recognised two of the boat's crew, the officer, Mr. Shepherd, performed
his part so well, that he obtained all the necessary information; and
the Admiral then went in with his ship, and anchored under fort San
Francisco. Thence he sent in the following papers to the city.
"_Address to the Authorities_.
"The forces of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Brazil, having
delivered the city and province of Bahia from the enemies of their
independence, I, in conformity to the wishes of His Imperial
Majesty, am desirous that the fruitful province of Maranham should
enjoy a like freedom. I am now come to offer to the unfortunate
inhabitants the protection and assistance necessary against the
oppression of foreigners, wishing to accomplish their freedom, and
to salute them as brethren and as friends. But should there be any
who, from vexatious motives, oppose the liberation of this country,
such persons may be assured that the naval and military forces
which expelled the Portuguese from the South, are ready to draw the
sword in the same just cause: and that sword once drawn, the
consequences cannot be doubtful. I beg the principal authorities to
make known to me their decisions, in order that, in case of
opposition, the consequences may not be imputed to the hasty manner
in which I set about the work which I must achieve. God keep Your
Excellencies many years!--_On board the Pedro Primeiro, 26th July,
1823_.
"_Proclamation_
"By His Excellency Lord Cochrane, Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of
the naval forces of His Imperial Majesty.
"The port, river, and island of Maranham, the bay of San José, and
roads adjacent, are declared to be in a state of blockade, as long
as the Portuguese shall exercise the supreme authority there; and
all entrance or departure is strictly prohibited, under those pains
and penalties authorised by the law of nations against those who
violate the rights of belligerents.--_On board the Pedro Primeiro,
26th July, 1823_."
These papers were received by the junta of Provisional Government, at
whose head was the Bishop. There had previously been some movements in
favour of independence, but they had been over-ruled by the Portuguese
troops, of whom there were about 300 in the town. The junta of course
accepted all Lord Cochrane's proposals; the 1st of August was appointed
as the day for electing a new government under the empire, and the
intermediate days for taking the oaths to the Emperor, and for embarking
the Portuguese troops; a step the more necessary, as they had shown a
disposition to oppose the Brazilians, and had even insulted Captain
Crosbie and others as they were landing to settle affairs with the
government. Besides, they were hourly in expectation of a reinforcement
of 500 men from Lisbon. Meantime the anchorage under Fort Francisco was
found inconvenient for so large a ship as the Pedro Primeiro, and the
Admiral took her round the great shoal which forms the other side of the
harbour, and anchored her between the Ilha do Medo and the main in
fifteen fathoms water; where he left her, and returned to the town in
the sloop of war Pambinha, in which vessel he could lie close to the
city itself. One of his first steps was to substitute Brazilian for
Portuguese troops, in all situations where soldiers were absolutely
necessary to keep order; but he did not admit more than a very limited
number within the walls. He caused all who had been imprisoned on
account of their political opinions to be liberated; and he sent notices
to the independent military commanders of Céara and Piauhy to desist
from hostilities against Maranham.
On the 27th, Lord Cochrane published the following proclamation:--
"_The High Admiral of Brazil to the Inhabitants of Maranham_.
"The auspicious day is arrived on which the worthy inhabitants of
Maranham have it in their power to declare at once the independence of
their country, and their adhesion to, and satisfaction with, their
patriot monarch, the Emperor Peter I. (son of the august Sovereign Don
John VI.); under whose protection they enjoy the glorious privileges of
being free men, of choosing their own constitution, and of making their
own laws by their representatives assembled to consult on their own
interests, and in their own country.
"That the glory of such a day should not be darkened by any excess, even
though proceeding from enthusiasm in the cause we have embraced, must be
the desire of every honest and thinking citizen. It is not necessary to
advise such as to their conduct: but, should there be any individuals
capable of interrupting the public tranquillity on any pretext, let them
beware! The strictest orders are given for the chastisement of whoever
shall cause any kind of disorder, according to the degree of the crime.
To take the necessary oaths, to choose the members of the civil
government, are acts that should be performed with deliberation: for
which reason, the first of August is the earliest day which the
preparation for such solemn ceremonies demands, will permit.--Citizens!
let us go forward seriously and methodically, without tumult, hurry, or
confusion; and accomplish the work we have in hand in such a manner as
shall merit the approbation of His Imperial Majesty, and shall give us
neither cause for repentance, nor room for amendment. Viva, our Emperor!
Viva, the independence and constitution of Brazil!--_On board the Pedro
Primeiro, 27th July, 1823_.
COCHRANE."
On the 28th, the junta of government, the camara of the town, the
citizens and soldiers, with Captain Crosbie to represent Lord Cochrane,
who was not well enough to attend, assembled to proclaim the
independence of Brazil, and to swear allegiance to the Emperor, Don
Pedro de Alcantara; after which there was a firing of the troops, and
discharge of artillery, and ringing of bells, as is usual on such
occasions. The public act of fealty was drawn up, and signed by as many
as could conveniently do so, and the Brazilian flag was hoisted, a flag
of truce having been flying from the arrival of the Pedro till then.
The next day the inhabitants proceeded to the choice of their new
provisional government of the province, which was installed on the 8th
of August, as had been appointed. The members are, Miguel Ignacio dos
Santos Freire e Bruce, _President_; Lourenço de Castro Belford,
_Secretary_; and José Joaquim Vieira Belford.
The first act of the new government was to issue a proclamation to the
inhabitants of the province of Maranham, congratulating them on being no
longer a nation of slaves to Portugal, but a free people of the empire
of Brazil; exhorting them to confidence, fidelity, and tranquillity; and
concluding with vivas to the Roman Catholic religion; to our
Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender Don Pedro I., and his
dynasty; to the Cortes of Brazil, and the people of Maranham.